How to remove the flash hider

Steve912 · Mar 7, 2017

Disabled1 said:
On my AR-556, Ruger installed a flash hider that is open at the bottom. I have no idea what their thinking was for doing this. I am open to suggestions on a replacement.

Possibly because that style can be screwed on without need of indexing--it's the same all the way around. Saves time and cost of using peel washers, etc. to get alignment right.

It won't be an issue for you unless you do a lot of shooting from the prone, or your bench top is particularly dirty.

BTW, it's a flash suppressor...flash hiders look like little dunce caps.

Rastoff · Mar 8, 2017

MichiganScott said:
The excessive blast from a muzzle break will be far more of a problem than 3.8 ft-lbs of recoil.

Not at all. The shooter doesn't hear increased noise. Only those next to them. She'll be fine.

sgtsandman said:
The A2 flash hider that comes on most AR rifles already acts to prevent muzzle rise due to the bottom being closed. It also acts to prevent dirt getting kicked up from the muzzle blast.

No, the flash hider is just that, a flash hider. It works great. The bottom is closed to reduce dirt flying up when shooting prone. The standard A2 flash hider doesn't reduce muzzle rise at all.

wayne2356 said:
Shooting next to someone using a muzzle brake will ruin your range day.

Cant stand muzzle brakes ... especially on 223/556. There is no need for them

Wow, really? Ruin your day? Maybe move a little further than 3' from the guy with the muzzle brake?

Muzzle brakes work when used on rifles. They work nicely on the AR. They significantly reduce muzzle rise and that's a great asset when trying to shoot rapid pairs.

I have a brake on my Tavor and it took the muzzle rise from just a little to non-existent. I love muzzle brakes.

Ricrock · Mar 8, 2017

Disabled1 said:
On my AR-556, Ruger installed a flash hider that is open at the bottom. I have no idea what their thinking was for doing this. I am open to suggestions on a replacement.

That is the exact same flash suppressor I have on my 10/22 I-Tac model 22lr rifle. It doesn't do anything on the 22 so I'm supprised it does anything on the AR. My Smith Sport 2 Ar has a suppressor with the bottom closed.

Rick

Disabled1 · Mar 8, 2017

Steve912 said:
Possibly because that style can be screwed on without need of indexing--it's the same all the way around. Saves time and cost of using peel washers, etc. to get alignment right.

It won't be an issue for you unless you do a lot of shooting from the prone, or your bench top is particularly dirty.

BTW, it's a flash suppressor...flash hiders look like little dunce caps.

In pics 1 & 2 below these are "FLASH HIDERS" like what is on my AR-556. In pic 3 is a "DUNCE CAP" flash hider.
I'm going to do what member mule69 did, and install something that looks cool.

MichiganScott · Mar 8, 2017

Rastoff said:
Not at all. The shooter doesn't hear increased noise. Only those next to them. She'll be fine.

Depends on your range. If you shoot on the back 40 you are probably correct. If you shoot at a covered or indoor range, the muzzle blast is excessive for everyone, including the shooter. The loudest rifle I ever shot was .300 mag with a BOSS at a covered range. The concussion and blast physically hurt.

wayne2356 · Mar 8, 2017

Rastoff said:
Not at all. The shooter doesn't hear increased noise. Only those next to them.

Wow, really? Ruin your day? Maybe move a little further than 3' from the guy with the muzzle brake?

.

Some ranges like the one I shoot at have assigned lanes ... when the guy next to you is shooting a howitzer (because of a muzzle brake) it makes the day of shooting a lot less fun

The range I go to doesnt allow rapid fire ... no need for muzzle brakes unless you are outside and away from people

Steve912 · Mar 8, 2017

Rastoff said:
No, the flash hider is just that, a flash hider. It works great. The bottom is closed to reduce dirt flying up when shooting prone. The standard A2 flash hider doesn't reduce muzzle rise at all.

1. It's a flash suppressor, not a flash hider. They ain't the same thing.
2. The A2 does give a slight brake (not 'break') effect,
over an A1.
3. Yes, muzzle devices can increase concussive effect/report
for the shooter.

Steve912 · Mar 8, 2017

Disabled1 said:
In pics 1 & 2 below these are "FLASH HIDERS" like what is on my AR-556. In pic 3 is a "DUNCE CAP" flash hider.
I'm going to do what member mule69 did, and install something that looks cool.

No, DisabledOne...those are all flash suppressors.

These are flash hiders...

Enfield rifle:

http://www.enfield-rifles.com/uploads/2102/IMG_0323.JPG

Browning M2:

https://www.marstar.ca/product_images/Accessories/partsandacc/browning/M2-HMG/B50-206.jpg

M1 Garand sniper model flash hiders, here:

Disabled1 · Mar 8, 2017

Steve912 said:
No, DisabledOne...those are all flash suppressors.

These are flash hiders...

Enfield rifle:

http://www.enfield-rifles.com/uploads/2102/IMG_0323.JPG

Browning M2:

https://www.marstar.ca/product_images/Accessories/partsandacc/browning/M2-HMG/B50-206.jpg

M1 Garand sniper model flash hiders, here:

I'm not a child, so, don't type to me as one.
I Googled the pics that I have posted and it read FLASH HIDERS. So, if it's on the internet, it must be true.

sgtsandman · Mar 8, 2017

Technically, he is correct, the muzzle devices on most firearms only suppress the flash, so it is a suppressor. Some do a darn good job at it too and are darn near a flash hider but there is still some residual flash.

As already replied by someone else, the closed bottom A2 bird cage directs gas up and to the side some, so does provide some muzzle rise control. Will it do it as well as a true brake? Nope.

In any case, flash hider/flash suppressor has been mixed used and probably shouldn't. Just like clip and magazine. Will it happen? Probably not.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bblhd672 · Mar 8, 2017

I left a range session early not long ago because the guy shooting 5 ft away had a muzzle break on his rifle. Every time he fired it felt like I was getting slapped upside the head. Outdoor, covered bench range.

ChattanoogaPhil · Mar 8, 2017

Not all brakes nor ranges are designed the same, so there's no surprise that folks' experiences and conclusions are different.

Keeping things focused on the OP and his wife... here's what I can offer.

Our club has overheads but no rear or side walls. Here are two of my rifles. Both are 16in carbine gas system. One bare muzzle and the other with a Lantac. My wife is about 5'2'' and 135lbs. She's not a shooter (so forgive her style) but I drag her out to the range once or twice a year and she goes along to humor me.

Ammo - M193
Hearing protection - Foam plugs + Howard Leight Sport Electronic

From the shooting position the difference is that the bare muzzle has a deeper tone than the Lantac but there is little difference in perceived noise level, discomfort or pressure between the bare muzzle and using a brake. From about six feet to the side it's about the same difference though there is a light breeze felt on the face with each shot using the brake.

See the difference in muzzle rise, rifle movement and her being pushed around. Her unsolicited words... The one with the muzzle thingie is a lot nicer to shoot.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ37ByaIiKU[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyDhqU22asA[/ame]

Disabled1 · Mar 8, 2017

sgtsandman said:
Technically, he is correct, the muzzle devices on most firearms only suppress the flash, so it is a suppressor. Some do a darn good job at it too and are darn near a flash hider but there is still some residual flash.

As already replied by someone else, the closed bottom A2 bird cage directs gas up and to the side some, so does provide some muzzle rise control. Will it do it as well as a true brake? Nope.

In any case, flash hider/flash suppressor has been mixed used and probably shouldn't. Just like clip and magazine. Will it happen? Probably not.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you Sir, for that explanation. It all makes sense now.
I served 8 years in the ARMY and not one time had the subject about the FLASH HIDER/SUPPRESSOR ever come up. Even being deployed to Kuwait, not one time. I do know this though, my issued Colt M16A2 had the (3) prong "SUPPRESSOR?" on the 20" barrel, along with the triangular hand guard.

sgtsandman · Mar 8, 2017

Disabled1 said:
Thank you Sir, for that explanation. It all makes sense now.

I served 8 years in the ARMY and not one time had the subject about the FLASH HIDER/SUPPRESSOR ever come up. Even being deployed to Kuwait, not one time. I do know this though, my issued Colt M16A2 had the (3) prong "SUPPRESSOR?" on the 20" barrel, along with the triangular hand guard.

Believe it or not, some of those three pronged flash suppressors are designed to bias the gases up as well.

Not unexpected as far as the military not instructing you about the various muzzle devices and what they do and don't do. They are more interest in you operating the rifle or pistol correctly than you understanding the nuances as to why and what things are designed to do. The Air Force is the same way. As long as you can hit what you aim at and don't endanger your comrades in the process, that's pretty much good enough.

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Westie1 · Mar 8, 2017

This old man thanks you as well. The only thing the AF had us worry about was being within 3000'.

ChattanoogaPhil · Mar 9, 2017

For you fellas who like to reference military....

I have the US Marine Corps Technical Manual for the M16A2.
TM 05538C-23 Oct 1983.

That muzzle thingie..... is referenced as a "compensator" with an illustration of the rifle. It is later referenced as the compensator including an illustration on 2-5 with instructions that "the middle slot of the compensator must be straight up or at Top Dead Center (TDC). A minor variation of one-half the width of the slot on either side of TDC is allowed." and again on 2-30. And again on 3-34 along with peel washer instructions. Section II C-12 is the upper receiver and barrel assembly parts number list. The compensator is part # 9349051.

ChattanoogaPhil · Mar 9, 2017

Rastoff said:
Not at all. The shooter doesn't hear increased noise. Only those next to them. She'll be fine.

Muzzle brakes work when used on rifles. They work nicely on the AR.

My wife in the above vids agrees with you.
So do I.

But as far as noise... like MichiganScott said a lot depends on range design (as well as brake design).

A public range in this area, Prentice Cooper, has a low flat overhead, rear wall only about three feet behind the shooter and side walls. It's a horrible design for noise no matter what firearm. Use a brake here, particularly one with side ports that are angled rearward, and youv'e got an extraordinary brain pounding experience for the shooter and everyone else. On the flip side... using my brake at my club no problemo.

This is a pic of Prentice Cooper I plucked off the Net. It is truly horrible in regard to noise.

swons73 · Mar 9, 2017

ChattanoogaPhil said:
Not all brakes nor ranges are designed the same, so there's no surprise that folks' experiences and conclusions are different.

Keeping things focused on the OP and his wife... here's what I can offer.

Our club has overheads but no rear or side walls. Here are two of my rifles. Both are 16in carbine gas system. One bare muzzle and the other with a Lantac. My wife is about 5'2'' and 135lbs. She's not a shooter (so forgive her style) but I drag her out to the range once or twice a year and she goes along to humor me.

Ammo - M193
Hearing protection - Foam plugs + Howard Leight Sport Electronic

From the shooting position the difference is that the bare muzzle has a deeper tone than the Lantac but there is little difference in perceived noise level, discomfort or pressure between the bare muzzle and using a brake. From about six feet to the side it's about the same difference though there is a light breeze felt on the face with each shot.

See the difference in muzzle rise, rifle movement and her being pushed around. Her unsolicited words... The one with the muzzle thingie is a lot nicer to shoot.

RobinBareMuzzle - YouTube

RobinLantac - YouTube

Muzzle thingie!! Your wife must be talking to my wife!!

Pro2nd · Mar 9, 2017

Vietnam era Manual..

ChattanoogaPhil · Mar 10, 2017

A.

sgtsandman said:
The A2 flash hider that comes on most AR rifles already acts to prevent muzzle rise due to the bottom being closed.

B.

Rastoff said:
No, the flash hider is just that, a flash hider. It works great. The bottom is closed to reduce dirt flying up when shooting prone. The standard A2 flash hider doesn't reduce muzzle rise at all.

Answer from the Military - COMPENSATOR (1) prevents muzzle rising while firing.

TM 9-1005-319-10 (2010) - OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR RIFLE, 5.56 MM, M16A2/M16A3/M4 - Google Drive

How to remove the flash hider

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